Skip to content
  • QUOTE
  • 888.653.3333
  • info@stage.safti.com
  • Products
    • Fire Protective Glass Tested to NFPA 252/257, UL 9/10C, ULC S104/S106; Blocks smoke and flames.
    • SuperLite® I
    • SuperClear® 45-HS
    • SuperClear® 45-HS-LI
    • SuperLite® I-XL
    • SuperLite® I-XL IGU
    • SuperLite® X-45/60/90
    • SuperLite® II-XL 45
    • Ceramics
    • Fire Resistive Glass Tested to ASTM E119 / UL 263 / ULC S101; Blocks smoke, flames and radiant heat.
    • SuperLite® II-XL 60
    • SuperLite® II-XL 90
    • SuperLite® II-XL 120
    • SuperLite® II-XLB 60
    • SuperLite® II-XLB 120
    • SuperLite® II-XLM 60
    • SuperLite® II-XLM 120
    • SuperSecure® II-XLS 45-120
    • Fire Rated Walls 60-120 minute fire resistive glass and frame assemblies tested to ASTM E119 / UL 263 / ULC S101.
    • GPX® Architectural Series Fire Resistive
    • GPX® Curtain Wall
    • GPX® Hurricane
    • GPX® Ballistic
    • GPX® Blast System
    • GPX® EZ Frame
    • Fire Rated Doors Full vision 20-45 minute fire protective doors and 60-90 minute temperature rise doors tested to NFPA 252 / UL 10C / ULC S104.
    • GPX® Architectural Series Fire Protective
    • GPX® Architectural Series Fire Resistive
    • GPX® Builders Series Fire Protective
    • GPX® Builders Series Temperature Rise
    • GPX® Hurricane
    • GPX® Ballistic
    • GPX® Vision Kit
    • Fire Rated Openings 20-45 minute fire protective glass and framing assemblies tested to NFPA 257 / UL 9 / ULC S106.
    • GPX® Architectural Series Fire Protective
    • GPX® Builders Series Fire Protective
    • GPX® EZ Frame
    • Fire Rated Floors 60-120 minute fire resistive glass floor assemblies tested to ASTM E119 / UL 263 / ULC S101.
    • GPX® FireFloor
    • Fire Rated Fences 20-60 minute fire rated glass fence for WUI areas or designated fire zones.
    • SAFTI FENCE
    • Specialty Glass
    • Laminated Safety Glass
  • Literature
  • Specs
  • Details
  • Videos
  • Resources
    About Us
    Videos
    Case Studies
    Articles
    Blogs
    Continuing Education
    Literature
    BIM Library
    Industry Links
    Press Releases
    Testimonials
    Technical Bulletins
    Newsletters
    Product Selector
  • Gallery
  • Contact
    Contact Us
    Meet Our Team
    Find Your Local Rep
    Request a Quote
  • Products
    • Fire Protective Glass
    • Fire Resistive Glass
    • Fire Rated Walls
    • Fire Rated Doors
    • Fire Rated Openings
    • Fire Rated Floors
    • Fire Rated Fences
  • Literature
  • Specs
  • Details
  • Videos
  • Resources
    • About Us
    • Product Selector
    • Articles
    • Blogs
    • BIM Library
    • Case Studies
    • Newsletters
    • Press Releases
    • Continuing Education
    • Literature
    • Technical Bulletins
    • Testimonials
    • Industry Links
    • Videos
  • Gallery
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Meet Our Team
    • Find Your Local Rep
    • Request a Quote
Menu
  • Products
    • Fire Protective Glass
    • Fire Resistive Glass
    • Fire Rated Walls
    • Fire Rated Doors
    • Fire Rated Openings
    • Fire Rated Floors
    • Fire Rated Fences
  • Literature
  • Specs
  • Details
  • Videos
  • Resources
    • About Us
    • Product Selector
    • Articles
    • Blogs
    • BIM Library
    • Case Studies
    • Newsletters
    • Press Releases
    • Continuing Education
    • Literature
    • Technical Bulletins
    • Testimonials
    • Industry Links
    • Videos
  • Gallery
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Meet Our Team
    • Find Your Local Rep
    • Request a Quote
Articles
FIRE RATED GLASS APPLICATIONS
Three Applications Transformed with Fire Rated Glass
FIRE RATED GLASS APPLICATIONS

Three Applications Transformed with Fire Rated Glass

BySAFTI FIRST Team
| June 22, 2021

Glass has long been used by architects to add vision, transparency, and a feeling of openness to an otherwise enclosed space. While the introduction of fire rated glass took it one step further by adding a life safety function on top of vision and transparency, the development of fire resistive glazing capable of meeting ASTM E-119/UL 263 gave architects the ability to design with glass like never before. Small fire rated doorlites and openings are transformed to wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling fire resistive transparent walls, full vision temperature rise doors and even fire resistive glass floors. Here are examples where this new breed of fire resistive glass has transformed how architects design and reimagine spaces – and they’ve never looked back since.

1. Stairwell Enclosures

This is perhaps where fire rated glass has had the most design impact in the last two decades. Traditionally, stairwells have had a more utilitarian function on a building. Required to meet the more stringent fire resistive wall standard for 1-2 hours because they perform specifics life safety functions in the event of a fire: a means for safe egress so building occupants can evacuate safely OR an area of refuge for occupants can wait for rescue if they cannot exit the building on their own. Before the development of fire resistive glazing that can meet the stringent ASTM E-119/UL 263 wall criteria, these stairwells were dark, closed off and away from view. They were seldom used because aside from being uninviting, the lack of vision into the space made stairwells a target for mugging, attacks, etc.

Today, architects using fire resistive glazing to make stairwells a design feature instead of being purely utilitarian. New advances in fire resistive glazing technology such as 1 and 2 hour clear, butt-glazed walls in large sizes added even more transparency and openness while still meeting the codes. Because these stairwells are full of light and vision, they seen more prominently in buildings and used more frequently by occupants.

Three Applications Transformed with Fire Rated Glass
The University of Wisconsin School of Business Learning Commons stairwell enclosure is designed with clear, fire resistive, butt-glazed walls using ASTM E-119/UL 263 rated SuperLite II-XLM with GPX Architectural Series perimeter framing.

2. Glass Floors

Certainly, glass floors are not new – but fire resistive, 1 and 2 hour glass floors is still a novel idea. The reason being is that testing for fire resistive glass floors is grueling. The entire assembly (glass and frame) is tested to ASTM E-119/UL 263 with a load (typically 100 psf) applied to the assembly for the entire duration of the test. If the assembly remains intact and limits the temperature rise to less than 250 degrees F above ambient on the non-fire side, the assembly passes.

Designers use fire resistive glass floors the same way they would fire resistive glass walls: to bring natural light further into the building, or to maximize shared artificial lighting between floors. Not to mention, it provides a dramatic design statement to any space.

Three Applications Transformed with Fire Rated Glass
1 hour fire resistive GPX FireFloor system at the 21C Museum and Hotel in Nashville.

3. Lot lines

As mentioned, fire rated glass fulfills the designer’s goals of having unobstructed views and natural light. In cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco or Boston where buildings are typically in close proximity to one another, designers can turn to fire rated glass to meet lot line requirements without sacrificing transparency. Because the building code considers fire resistive glazing that meets ASTM E-119/UL 263 as a wall instead of an opening a very important distinction it can be used in areas where exterior openings are not permitted all (typically between 0-3 feet of the lot line) or limited in size per IBC Table 705.8. By using fire resistive glass, designers don’t have to sacrifice expansive clear views and abundant natural light in order to meet code requirements.

Three Applications Transformed with Fire Rated Glass
Clear, unobstructed views of the New York City skyline are possible in zero lot line applications thanks to SuperLite II-XLB 120 in GPX Architectural Series framing.

 

Share:
PrevNext ArticleGANA Informational Bulletin TD 06-0413
Previous ArticleVision, Vision, VisionNext
Back to Articles

Engineering. Design. Code.

Whether you’re looking for fire-rated walls, doors, openings, floors or a specialty service, we have the solution for you. With over 40 years of experience in testing, innovating, and providing technologically advanced fire-rated glass and framing products, we deliver unyielding performance and quality at a competitive price.

Let's Talk!

  • 888.653.3333
    (English)
  • 888.653.3333 ext. 652
    (Spanish)
  • info@stage.safti.com
  • Representative Map
Contact
Phone
888.653.3333 - English
888.653.3333 ext. 652 - Spanish
Fax
888.653.4444
Email
info@stage.safti.com
Address
Corporate
100 N Hill Dr, Ste12, Brisbane, CA 94005
Factory
220 S R Street, Merced, CA 95341

Sign up for our Newsletter!

Get notified of industry updates and new product alerts.

AFFILIATE COMPANIES
Division 5
1850 Grogan Ave, Merced, CA 95341
888.653.3333
Division 8
1891 Wardrobe Ave, Merced, CA 95341
866.848.2667
© 2025 SAFTI FIRST. All rights reserved.​
Disclaimer & Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy
Instagram Linkedin Facebook Youtube Vimeo
Suggested Pages
Case Studies
Request a Quote
SuperClear® 45-HS-LI
Continuing Education
Request a Quote
Continuing Education
Videos
SuperClear® 45-HS-LI
Case Studies
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.


This website uses cookies to improve user experience. A cookie file is stored in your web browser and allows the website to recognize you and make your next visit easier and the website more useful to you. By using our website, you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Cookies Policy. Learn more.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}